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iTEP Business-Core practice questions

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Question 1Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The procurement team ___ the revised vendor agreement before the quarterly budget review next Monday.

  1. finalized
  2. will finalize Correct answer.
  3. was finalizing
  4. has finalized

Explanation

The future time marker 'next Monday' requires a future form, so 'will finalize' is the only option that expresses an action completed at a future point. The present perfect 'has finalized' points to a past action with present relevance, and the simple past forms place the action entirely in the past.

Question 2Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree correctly in a business report.

  1. The list of outstanding invoices have been sent to the finance director.
  2. The list of outstanding invoices was sent to the finance director. Correct answer.
  3. The list of outstanding invoices are being sent to the finance director.
  4. The list of outstanding invoices were sent to the finance director.

Explanation

The head noun of the subject is the singular 'list', and the prepositional phrase 'of outstanding invoices' does not change the number of the subject. Therefore the singular verb 'was' is required. Plural verbs such as 'were', 'have', and 'are' incorrectly agree with 'invoices' rather than with 'list'.

Question 3Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The consultant asked the department heads ___ the cost projections before the steering committee meeting.

  1. to submit Correct answer.
  2. that they submit to
  3. submit
  4. submitting

Explanation

The verb 'ask' in the pattern 'ask someone to do something' takes an object plus a to-infinitive. 'To submit' correctly completes this structure. The bare infinitive and the gerund do not fit the complement pattern of 'ask' with a direct object.

Question 4Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Which sentence uses the article correctly in a formal business memo?

  1. We need the approval from a compliance officer before launch.
  2. We need an approval from the compliance officer before launch.
  3. We need a approval from the compliance officer before launch.
  4. We need approval from the compliance officer before launch. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Approval' in this sense is an uncountable abstract noun, so it takes no indefinite article. The zero article is correct in 'need approval from the compliance officer'. Adding 'a' or 'an' treats an uncountable noun as countable, which is not standard in this context.

Question 5Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The marketing manager, together with her regional leads, ___ the campaign results every Friday afternoon.

  1. are reviewing
  2. review
  3. have reviewed
  4. reviews Correct answer.

Explanation

When a subject is followed by 'together with', the verb agrees with the first noun phrase only. The head is the singular 'marketing manager', so the singular present 'reviews' is correct. The intervening phrase does not make the subject plural.

Question 6Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The shipment arrived ___ than the logistics team had predicted, so the warehouse was unprepared.

  1. earlier Correct answer.
  2. earliest
  3. most early
  4. more early

Explanation

The comparative form of the one-syllable adverb 'early' is 'earlier', formed by adding '-er' after changing 'y' to 'i'. The comparison is signalled by 'than'. 'More early' and 'most early' are not standard comparative or superlative forms.

Question 7Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Which sentence correctly uses a modal to express a strong obligation in a workplace policy?

  1. All staff might wear identification badges in the production area.
  2. All staff could wear identification badges in the production area.
  3. All staff may wear identification badges in the production area.
  4. All staff must wear identification badges in the production area. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Must' expresses a strong obligation or requirement, which suits a policy statement. 'Might', 'could', and 'may' express possibility or permission, which weaken the statement into an option rather than a rule.

Question 8Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The invoice ___ by the accounts payable team yesterday, so the vendor has already been paid.

  1. has processed
  2. is processing
  3. processed
  4. was processed Correct answer.

Explanation

The invoice receives the action, so a passive form is needed, and 'yesterday' requires the past simple passive 'was processed'. The active forms would wrongly make the invoice the agent of the processing.

Question 9Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The board postponed the decision ___ the legal team completes its review of the merger.

  1. because of
  2. despite
  3. until Correct answer.
  4. during

Explanation

'Until' is a conjunction that introduces a time clause and fits 'until the legal team completes its review'. 'During', 'despite', and 'because of' are prepositions followed by noun phrases, so they cannot introduce a full clause with a subject and verb.

Question 10Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

If the supplier ___ the revised specifications, the production line would not have stopped last week.

  1. had followed Correct answer.
  2. has followed
  3. followed
  4. would follow

Explanation

This is a third conditional sentence about an unreal past situation, so the if-clause takes the past perfect 'had followed' and the main clause takes 'would not have stopped'. The past simple and present perfect forms do not match the past unreal meaning.

Question 11Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The report ___ by the regional directors before it is circulated to shareholders.

  1. must be approved Correct answer.
  2. must approving
  3. must have approved
  4. must approve

Explanation

The report is the thing that receives approval, so the passive modal 'must be approved' is required. The active 'must approve' would make the report the approver, and 'must approving' is not a grammatical verb form.

Question 12Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Choose the sentence that correctly reports what the CEO said at the annual meeting.

  1. The CEO said that the company will expand into two new markets the following year.
  2. The CEO said that the company would have expanded into two new markets the following year.
  3. The CEO said that the company expands into two new markets the following year.
  4. The CEO said that the company would expand into two new markets the following year. Correct answer.

Explanation

In reported speech after a past reporting verb, 'will' normally shifts to 'would', and 'next year' shifts to 'the following year'. 'Would expand' correctly reports the CEO's future intention from a past viewpoint. The present simple and the perfect conditional change the intended time reference.

Question 13Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The finance director is the person ___ signature is required on all contracts above one million dollars.

  1. whose Correct answer.
  2. who
  3. which
  4. whom

Explanation

The relative clause needs a possessive determiner linking the person to 'signature', and 'whose' performs exactly that function. 'Who' and 'whom' are subject and object pronouns, and 'which' cannot express possession for a person here.

Question 14Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Not only ___ the delivery deadline, but the vendor also charged an extra handling fee.

  1. did the supplier miss Correct answer.
  2. the supplier did miss
  3. the supplier missed
  4. missed the supplier

Explanation

When a sentence begins with the negative correlative 'not only', the auxiliary comes before the subject, producing inversion: 'did the supplier miss'. The uninverted orders are ungrammatical after this fronted negative phrase.

Question 15Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The new compliance software is ___ than the system it replaced, but it requires more training.

  1. considerably more reliable Correct answer.
  2. considerably reliable
  3. more considerably reliable
  4. most considerably reliable

Explanation

The comparative adjective 'reliable' takes 'more', and the intensifier 'considerably' is placed before the comparative phrase: 'considerably more reliable'. The other orders misplace the intensifier or use a superlative that cannot be followed by 'than'.

Question 16Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

By the time the auditors arrive next month, the accounting team ___ all the supporting documents.

  1. has digitized
  2. digitized
  3. will digitize
  4. will have digitized Correct answer.

Explanation

The future perfect 'will have digitized' describes an action completed before a stated future point, which is exactly the meaning of 'by the time the auditors arrive'. The simple future and the past forms do not convey completion before that future deadline.

Question 17Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The manager insisted that every expense claim ___ submitted within five working days of the purchase.

  1. is
  2. being
  3. be Correct answer.
  4. will be

Explanation

After verbs of demand such as 'insist', 'require', or 'request', a that-clause takes the subjunctive base form 'be' in formal business English. 'Is' and 'will be' are indicative forms, and 'being' is a participle without a finite verb.

Question 18Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Which sentence uses the gerund correctly in a business context?

  1. The team is committed to improvement customer response times.
  2. The team is committed for improving customer response times.
  3. The team is committed to improve customer response times.
  4. The team is committed to improving customer response times. Correct answer.

Explanation

In the phrase 'be committed to', 'to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or gerund: 'to improving'. The infinitive 'to improve' is a common error, and 'for improving' uses the wrong preposition.

Question 19Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Having reviewed the risk assessment, ___.

  1. it was approved that the new procedure
  2. the new procedure was approved by the compliance officer
  3. the compliance officer approved the new procedure Correct answer.
  4. the approval of the new procedure occurred

Explanation

A participial phrase at the start of a sentence must share its subject with the main clause. The compliance officer is the one who reviewed the assessment, so the main clause must begin with 'the compliance officer'. The passive and impersonal options create a dangling modifier.

Question 20Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The number of customer complaints ___ steadily since the new support portal was introduced.

  1. are falling
  2. has fallen Correct answer.
  3. have fallen
  4. fall

Explanation

The subject is 'the number', which is singular, even though it is followed by 'of customer complaints'. The present perfect 'has fallen' correctly agrees with the singular subject and marks a change continuing from the past to now.

Question 21Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The consultant's recommendation was that the branch ___ its opening hours to match local demand.

  1. adjusted
  2. adjust Correct answer.
  3. adjusts
  4. is adjusting

Explanation

In a that-clause after 'recommendation was that', formal English uses the subjunctive base form 'adjust' regardless of the subject. The inflected present, past, and progressive forms are indicative and do not express the recommended action.

Question 22Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Identify the sentence in which the modifier is correctly placed.

  1. The analyst reviewed only the quarterly figures, not the annual report. Correct answer.
  2. Only the analyst reviewed the quarterly figures, not the annual report.
  3. The analyst only reviewed the quarterly figures, not the annual report.
  4. The analyst reviewed the quarterly figures only, not the annual report.

Explanation

The limiting adverb 'only' should sit directly before the element it restricts. Because the contrast is with 'the annual report', 'only' must modify 'the quarterly figures', giving 'reviewed only the quarterly figures'. The other placements restrict the analyst or the verb, changing the meaning.

Question 23Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

___ the merger negotiations collapsed, the two firms had already invested heavily in joint marketing.

  1. So that
  2. Although Correct answer.
  3. Because
  4. Unless

Explanation

The two clauses contrast: the firms had invested heavily, yet the negotiations collapsed. 'Although' introduces a concessive clause and expresses that contrast. 'Because' and 'so that' imply cause or purpose, and 'unless' introduces a condition.

Question 24Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Which sentence correctly uses a reduced relative clause in a business description?

  1. The employees worked on the audit are required to sign a confidentiality form.
  2. The employees working on the audit are required to sign a confidentiality form. Correct answer.
  3. The employees are working on the audit are required to sign a confidentiality form.
  4. The employees who working on the audit are required to sign a confidentiality form.

Explanation

An active relative clause 'who are working' can be reduced to the present participle 'working', giving 'the employees working on the audit'. The past participle 'worked' would imply a passive meaning, and the other options keep an ungrammatical finite verb.

Question 25Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The board requires that the annual report ___ to shareholders no later than March 31.

  1. will be distributed
  2. distributing
  3. be distributed Correct answer.
  4. is distributed

Explanation

After 'requires that', formal English uses the subjunctive base form, and because the report receives the action, the passive subjunctive 'be distributed' is needed. The indicative 'is' and 'will be' do not follow this mandatory pattern, and 'distributing' lacks a finite auxiliary.

Question 26Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The quarterly earnings report, ___ was distributed to all department heads, contained several formatting errors.

  1. which Correct answer.
  2. that
  3. who
  4. whose

Explanation

In a non-defining relative clause set off by commas, the relative pronoun 'which' refers to the inanimate noun 'report'. 'That' is not used in non-defining clauses, and 'who' and 'whose' are inappropriate for an inanimate antecedent.

Question 27Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The marketing team ___ the campaign results by the time the client calls tomorrow morning.

  1. will have analyzed Correct answer.
  2. has analyzed
  3. analyzes
  4. will analyze

Explanation

The future perfect 'will have analyzed' expresses an action completed before a specific future time ('by the time the client calls'). The simple future 'will analyze' does not convey completion before that deadline.

Question 28Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a gerund as the subject of a business statement.

  1. Reduce costs is the main goal of the restructuring plan.
  2. Reducing costs remains the main goal of the restructuring plan. Correct answer.
  3. To reduce costs is the main goal of the restructuring plan.
  4. Reduced costs is the main goal of the restructuring plan.

Explanation

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun; 'Reducing costs' functions as the subject of 'remains'. The infinitive 'To reduce' is possible but is not a gerund, and the base form 'Reduce' cannot serve as a subject.

Question 29Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The supplier agreed ___ the defective units at no additional cost to the retailer.

  1. replacing
  2. to replace Correct answer.
  3. replace
  4. replacement

Explanation

The verb 'agree' is followed by a to-infinitive, so 'to replace' is the correct complement. Gerunds and bare infinitives are not used after 'agree' in this construction.

Question 30Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

If the finance department ___ the budget proposal earlier, the project would have started on schedule.

  1. had approved Correct answer.
  2. would approve
  3. approved
  4. approves

Explanation

This is a third conditional sentence describing an unreal past condition; the if-clause requires the past perfect 'had approved'. The main clause 'would have started' confirms the past unreal meaning.

Question 31Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The new regional manager, ___ previous experience includes supply chain management, will oversee the warehouse expansion.

  1. whose Correct answer.
  2. whom
  3. who
  4. which

Explanation

The possessive relative pronoun 'whose' links the manager to 'previous experience', showing possession. 'Who' would be the subject, 'whom' the object, and 'which' refers to things, not people.

Question 32Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The audit committee recommended that the CFO ___ the revised revenue figures at the next board meeting.

  1. is presenting
  2. presents
  3. present Correct answer.
  4. presented

Explanation

Verbs of recommendation such as 'recommend' trigger the subjunctive mood in a that-clause, which uses the base form 'present' regardless of the subject. The indicative 'presents' is not used in this formal construction.

Question 33Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Identify the sentence in which the underlined modifier is correctly placed to describe the intended noun. (The modifier is shown in bold.)

  1. The manager reviewed the proposal submitted **by the vendor carefully**.
  2. The manager reviewed the proposal **carefully** submitted by the vendor.
  3. The manager **carefully** reviewed the proposal submitted by the vendor. Correct answer.
  4. The manager reviewed **carefully** the proposal submitted by the vendor.

Explanation

The adverb 'carefully' should modify the verb 'reviewed', so placing it immediately before the verb makes the meaning clear. In the other options, the adverb is positioned so that it could be read as modifying the wrong element, creating ambiguity.

Question 34Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The company's profits have increased ___ 15% since the new pricing strategy was implemented.

  1. for
  2. by Correct answer.
  3. at
  4. to

Explanation

The preposition 'by' is used with 'increase' to indicate the amount of change, as in 'increased by 15%'. 'To' would indicate the final level reached, not the amount of increase.

Question 35Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Choose the sentence that correctly reports a question asked by a client during a conference call.

  1. The client asked when the new contract would be signed. Correct answer.
  2. The client asked when will the new contract be signed.
  3. The client asked when the new contract will be signed.
  4. The client asked when would the new contract be signed.

Explanation

In reported questions, the word order changes to statement order (subject before auxiliary) and the tense usually shifts back. 'When the new contract would be signed' follows this pattern; the other options retain question word order or the present tense.

Question 36Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The board members, along with the external auditor, ___ scheduled to attend the compliance briefing.

  1. was
  2. is
  3. has
  4. are Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject is 'The board members', which is plural; the phrase 'along with the external auditor' is parenthetical and does not change the number of the subject. Therefore the plural verb 'are' is required.

Question 37Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.

  1. After reviewing the sales figures, the analyst prepared a detailed report.
  2. Having reviewed the sales figures, the analyst prepared a detailed report.
  3. The analyst prepared a detailed report after reviewing the sales figures.
  4. After reviewing the sales figures, a detailed report was prepared by the analyst. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory participial phrase does not logically modify the subject of the main clause. In option 1, 'After reviewing the sales figures' seems to modify 'a detailed report', which cannot review figures, so the modifier dangles.

Question 38Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The vendor delivered the components ___ the agreed deadline, so production was not delayed.

  1. among
  2. within Correct answer.
  3. onto
  4. between

Explanation

'Within' means before or not later than a specified time, which fits the meaning of meeting a deadline. 'Between' and 'among' refer to position or distribution, and 'onto' indicates movement to a surface.

Question 39Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a passive construction to emphasize the action rather than the doer in a business process.

  1. All contracts review the compliance team before signing.
  2. All contracts are reviewed by the compliance team before signing. Correct answer.
  3. The compliance team reviews all contracts before signing.
  4. The compliance team is reviewing all contracts before signing.

Explanation

The passive voice is formed with a form of 'be' plus the past participle, and it focuses on the action and the receiver. 'All contracts are reviewed' correctly places the contracts as the subject receiving the action.

Question 40Grammar (structure and usage in business contexts)

The consultant suggested ___ the training program across all regional offices before the end of the quarter.

  1. implementing Correct answer.
  2. to implement
  3. implement
  4. implementation

Explanation

The verb 'suggest' is followed by a gerund when it takes a direct object, so 'implementing' is correct. The infinitive 'to implement' and the bare form 'implement' are not used after 'suggest' in this pattern.

Question 41Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

You hear this announcement in an office lobby: "The building's main elevator will be out of service from 9 a.m. to noon today for scheduled maintenance. Please use the east stairwell or the freight elevator near the loading dock." What should employees do during that period?

  1. Take the main elevator but only for one floor
  2. Wait in the lobby until noon
  3. Ask reception to call a repair technician
  4. Use the east stairwell or the freight elevator Correct answer.

Explanation

The announcement gives a specific instruction for the outage window: use the east stairwell or the freight elevator near the loading dock. The elevator is already being serviced, so no one needs to request a technician. Listening for the action requested after a problem is stated is the key move.

Question 42Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

A supervisor says: "Before you leave on Friday, drop your signed timesheet in the blue tray by my door. I don't need to see you in person." What is the supervisor asking for?

  1. An email confirming Friday's schedule
  2. A verbal report of hours worked
  3. A signed timesheet placed in the blue tray Correct answer.
  4. A face-to-face meeting on Friday

Explanation

The speaker names the document (signed timesheet) and the exact location (blue tray by the door). The added remark that no in-person visit is needed rules out a meeting. Identifying the object plus the delivery method is what the question tests.

Question 43Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

In a team meeting, a manager says: "We're pushing the client demo back one week because the test environment isn't ready." What is the reason for the delay?

  1. The test environment is not ready Correct answer.
  2. The demo room is already booked
  3. A team member is on vacation
  4. The client requested a later date

Explanation

The manager states the cause directly with "because": the test environment isn't ready. The client's wishes, staffing, and room booking are not mentioned. Causal connectors like "because" and "due to" usually carry the answer in short announcements.

Question 44Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

A colleague tells you: "I'll be covering the front desk until 2 p.m., so send any visitor badges my way." What does the colleague want you to do?

  1. Reschedule all visitor appointments
  2. Close the front desk until 2 p.m.
  3. Direct visitor badge requests to them Correct answer.
  4. Print the badges yourself

Explanation

The phrase "send any visitor badges my way" is an instruction to route badge requests to that colleague. The colleague is covering the desk, so they handle the badges rather than asking you to print them. Recognizing idiomatic requests like "send it my way" is the tested skill.

Question 45Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

An automated phone message says: "You've reached the IT help desk. Our current wait time is about 15 minutes. If your issue is urgent, press 1 to leave a callback number." What does pressing 1 do?

  1. Resets your position in the queue
  2. Records a number for a return call Correct answer.
  3. Ends the call without a response
  4. Connects you to a live technician immediately

Explanation

The message says pressing 1 lets you leave a callback number for urgent issues, meaning the desk will call you back. It does not promise an immediate live connection. Distinguishing a callback from a live transfer is the point of the question.

Question 46Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

A warehouse supervisor announces: "Starting Monday, all pallets must be wrapped before they leave the loading bay. This applies to every shift." Who must follow the new rule?

  1. Only the shipping clerk
  2. Every shift in the warehouse Correct answer.
  3. Only the day shift
  4. Only new employees

Explanation

The phrase "applies to every shift" extends the wrapping requirement to all warehouse staff. The mention of Monday gives the start date, not a limit on who is covered. Listening for scope words such as "every" and "all" prevents narrowing the rule incorrectly.

Question 47Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

You overhear: "The copier on the third floor is jammed again. Use the one in the mailroom until facilities fixes it." What is the practical advice?

  1. Wait on the third floor for a repair
  2. Use the copier in the mailroom Correct answer.
  3. Order a replacement copier
  4. Report the jam to facilities yourself

Explanation

The speaker directs listeners to the mailroom copier while the third-floor machine is broken. Facilities is already handling the repair, so no additional report is requested. The instruction word "use" signals the recommended action.

Question 48Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

A meeting organizer says: "We'll start with the budget review, then move to hiring, and finish with the Q3 timeline." What is the last agenda item?

  1. Hiring plans
  2. A coffee break
  3. The budget review
  4. The Q3 timeline Correct answer.

Explanation

The organizer lists the order using "start with," "then," and "finish with." The item after "finish with" is the Q3 timeline, making it last. Sequence markers are the reliable cue for ordering questions.

Question 49Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

A manager tells an employee: "Your proposal is solid, but the cost estimate needs another look before we send it to the client." What does the manager want revised?

  1. The overall proposal structure
  2. The client's contact details
  3. The delivery deadline
  4. The cost estimate Correct answer.

Explanation

The word "but" contrasts praise with the one item needing work: the cost estimate. The proposal overall is called solid, so its structure is not the concern. Contrast markers often isolate the single required change.

Question 50Listening (workplace conversations, announcements, meetings)

An announcement says: "Due to the fire drill at 3 p.m., the cafeteria will close at 2:30 and reopen at 3:30." A worker wants lunch at 2:45. What is true?

  1. The cafeteria will open early for lunch
  2. The cafeteria will be open as usual
  3. The cafeteria will be closed for the drill Correct answer.
  4. The worker can use the cafeteria until 3:30

Explanation

The cafeteria closes at 2:30 and reopens at 3:30, so at 2:45 it is closed because of the drill. The times must be compared with the worker's requested time. This tests combining two time references rather than hearing a single fact.